Dog Community

What to feed for good coat?

Posted : 9/18/2009 5:13:54 PM

I have a 7lb chihuahua mix and 20lb whippet mix (the breeds are guesses as they were both rescues), who are about 8 months old. I have been feeding them Canidae ALS. They also get a whole raw egg a couple of times a week. However both of them are itchy and seem to shed a lot for short-haired dogs. I bathe them approximately twice a month with earthbath aloe and oatmeal, which seems to have actually helped with the itching. They are both primarily indoor apartment dogs (except for walks, dog park trips, etc.), plus they are totally different breeds so I don't think it's allergy related. I was wondering if there is something I could add to their food to help with their coats? Please don't tell me to switch to some fancy expensive food, if I had the money they would be on the best of the best, but I can't, so I try to do the best I can with what I have.

jessies_mom

Posted : 9/18/2009 6:43:09 PM

You may want to try giving them some fish oil. If you use wild salmon oil, don't give them more than 500mg each; it has much more vitamin D than other fish oils and too much vitamin D can be bad for their kidneys.

tiffy

Posted : 9/19/2009 7:30:36 PM

I use Grizzly Salmon Oil and Vit. E daily and Tootsies coat is awesome.

Sunshinegirl

Posted : 9/22/2009 8:48:20 PM

I have to agree with the fish oil. We started on it about 6 months ago and the difference in their coats is amazing! The itching hasn't been as bad, but the grass here is notorious for causing itch, so I have to believe that the fish oil is helping immensly. I keep the bottle of capsules in the freezer and wrap them in liverwurst at feeding time. The freezing causes a more time released action. They're both doing great on it.

brookcove

Posted : 9/25/2009 9:09:58 AM

That's a neat idea SG! *running to put bottle in freezer now* The dogs all take liquid but I bet it will help the fishy burps for my own supplement! I really am not a Canidae fan anymore. For about the same cost, I've discovered a food called Zinpro that is totally focused on skin coat problems that aren't related to food sensitivity. It does have artificial vitamin K in it but the results I've seen with it are well worth the risk, if any.

Cita

Posted : 9/26/2009 9:24:59 AM

I feed Rascal canned salmon, since salmon oil didn't seem to help (maybe I wasn't using a high-enough quality one?). He loves the salmon and it really makes a difference in his coat.

Bruister

Posted : 9/27/2009 4:11:00 PM

tilnih
They also get a whole raw egg a couple of times a week. However both of them are itchy and seem to shed a lot for short-haired dog.

I just read a link in comments made by tzu_mom in the "onions" thread that raw eggs can cause skin and hair problems and may contain salmonella. They might be reacting to the raw eggs.

Bruister

Posted : 10/1/2009 10:24:50 PM

Any follow up?